rebuild
Rebuild (verb) means to build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed. Example: “The town rebuilt the bridge after the flood washed it away.”
How to use rebuild
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConstructing or restoring something from the ground up after damage or decline.
Word forms
rebuilt past tense, rebuilds plural, rebuilds singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took years to _____ trust after the scandal.
Etymology
Formed from re- ("again") plus build.
Related words
Rhymes for rebuild
See all rhymes for rebuild →Frequently asked questions
What does “rebuild” mean?
The word “rebuild” means to build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed. In plain terms, constructing or restoring something from the ground up after damage or decline.
How do you pronounce “rebuild”?
“Rebuild” is pronounced ree-BIHLD (/ɹiːˈbɪld/ in IPA).
How do you use “rebuild” in a sentence?
Here is “rebuild” used in a sentence: “It took years to rebuild trust after the scandal.”
What part of speech is “rebuild”?
Depending on how it is used, “rebuild” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “rebuild” a common word?
“Rebuild” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “rebuild” have?
“Rebuild” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.
What is the difference between 'rebuild' and 'repair'?
To repair is to fix damage while keeping the original structure largely intact, whereas to rebuild is to construct something again, often from the ground up, after it has been badly damaged or destroyed. Rebuilding is the bigger, more thorough job.
What is the difference between 'rebuild' and 'renovate'?
Renovating means updating or refurbishing something that still stands, such as modernising a kitchen. Rebuilding means constructing something again after it has been damaged or destroyed, or replacing it entirely.
What is the difference between 'rebuild' and 'reconstruct'?
The two are close in meaning, but 'rebuild' is the more everyday word for putting something up again after damage. 'Reconstruct' often sounds more formal or technical, and it can also mean piecing together how something happened, as in reconstructing an accident.